Question

The charge/ size ratio of a cation determines its polarizing power. Which one of the following sequences represents the increasing order of the polarizing power of the cationic species, $K^{+},C{a}^{2+},M{g}^{2+},B{e}^{2+}$

• A. Ca²⁺ < Mg²⁺ < Be²⁺ < K⁺
• B. Mg²⁺ < Be²⁺ < K⁺ < Ca²⁺
• C. Be²⁺ < K⁺ < Ca²⁺ < Mg²⁺
• D. K⁺ < Ca²⁺ < Mg²⁺ < Be²⁺

Answer 1

The correct option is D

K⁺ < Ca²⁺ < Mg²⁺ < Be²⁺

The increasing order of the polarizing power (charge/size ratio) is $K^{+}<C{a}^{2+}<M{g}^{2+}<M{g}^{2+}<B{e}^{2+}$